Head of Finance

C2 Recruitment; Wareham; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Senior Leadership Team exposure

Job summary

Unknown Animal Welfare Charity is seeking a Head of Finance & Corporate Services to join the Senior Leadership Team. You will provide financial leadership, oversee HR, IT, procurement, and systems, and work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees to shape the organisation's future.

This newly created role combines high-level financial leadership with corporate services oversight, ensuring sustainable governance and delivery of ambitious objectives for the charity and the communities it serves.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA or equivalent) with significant senior-level finance experience.
• Strong track record in financial planning, forecasting, governance and strategic financial analysis.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear commercial insight for senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the CEO, SLT and Board of Trustees.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and scenario modelling.
• Produce management accounts, KPIs and financial reporting for decision-making.
• Ensure robust financial controls, governance, risk management and compliance.
• Oversee statutory accounts, audit processes and Charity Commission reporting.
• Manage cash flow, reserves, legacy income and treasury management.
• Oversee outsourced HR and IT services and oversee procurement.
• Support digital transformation and organisational change.
• Lead and develop the corporate services function.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA

Financial planning

Governance

Strategic financial analysis

Stakeholder influence

Charity sector experience

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Job description

Head of Finance & Corporate Services

£55,000-£65,000 per annum depending on experience

Full-time | Permanent

Hybrid Working/Church Knowle, Dorset

Shape the Future of an Established Animal Welfare Charity

An established and respected animal welfare charity is entering an exciting new chapter, and we are looking for an experienced Head of Finance & Corporate Services to join the Senior Leadership Team and play a key role in shaping the organisation's future.

This is a newly created position with a broad strategic remit. Working closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, you will provide financial leadership, commercial insight and constructive challenge, while also overseeing a range of corporate services including HR, IT, procurement, systems and organisational improvement.

This is much more than a traditional senior finance position. You will be a trusted strategic partner, helping to ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable, well governed and equipped to deliver its ambitions for the future.

The Role

• Providing strategic financial leadership to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees
• Leading the organisation's budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and scenario modelling
• Producing insightful management accounts, KPIs and financial reporting to support effective decision-making
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Leading statutory accounts, audit processes and relevant Charity Commission reporting
• Overseeing cash flow, reserves, legacy income and treasury management
• Providing strategic oversight of outsourced HR and IT services
• Leading procurement, supplier relationships and professional advisers
• Supporting digital transformation, systems development and organisational change
• Leading, developing and supporting the corporate services function

About You

• You will be a professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with significant senior-level finance experience.
• You will have a strong track record across financial planning, forecasting, management accounts, governance and strategic financial analysis, combined with the confidence and credibility to influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders.
• You will be comfortable translating complex financial information into clear commercial insight, enabling the CEO, Trustees and wider leadership team to make informed strategic decisions.
• Experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector would be advantageous, particularly knowledge of Charity SORP, restricted and unrestricted funds and Trustee-led governance.
• Experience or understanding across areas such as HR, IT, procurement, systems development or digital transformation would also be beneficial.
• Above all, we are looking for someone who is collaborative, commercially minded, solutions-focused and passionate about continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• £55,000-£65,000 salary, depending on experience
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• A key strategic position within the Senior Leadership Team
• Direct exposure to the CEO and Board of Trustees
• The opportunity to influence the future direction of an established animal welfare organisation
• A broad and varied remit spanning finance and corporate services
• The opportunity to use your expertise to create meaningful impact for animals and the communities the organisation supports

Make Your Mark

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious finance leader who wants to move beyond a traditional finance role and play a genuine part in shaping an organisation's future.

If you are looking for a position where strategic influence, commercial thinking and purpose come together, we would love to hear from you.